Glenbard receives $15,600 grant for wellness program

Posted by Peg Mannion, Community Contributor

The Midwest Dairy Council awarded Glenbard District 87 a $15,600 grant to support its Fuel Up to Play 60 initiative. Glenbard’s four high schools were selected from among hundreds of schools nationwide that applied for funding to help them jumpstart and sustain healthy nutrition and physical activity improvements. This grant program offers schools up to $4,000 to help them increase awareness of and access to nutrient-rich foods and physical activity opportunities for students.

Fuel Up to Play 60 encourages young people to consume nutrient-rich foods and achieve at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day.

“We are delighted that all students will benefit from this generous grant, which will enhance the Glenbard high schools’ strong commitment to wellness,” said Wellness Committee member Gilda Ross, Glenbard District 87 student and community projects coordinator.

Funds for Fuel Up to Play 60, provided by the Midwest Dairy Council, will support a variety of activities and tools for Glenbard District 87, including a fitness fair for students, the Healthy Cooking Challenge during Live Life Well Week, and the purchase of heart rate monitors for all physical education classes.

"This is exactly what our district Wellness Committee was hoping for,” said Wellness Committee member Lynn Dugan of Myplate2yours, LLC. “We are thrilled that our initiatives for healthy eating and physical activity will continue and advance in the coming school year. For a second consecutive year, this grant will support healthy initiatives that reach every student in our district."

Glenbard District 87’s Wellness Committee focuses on promoting and supporting the Board of Education wellness policy and related goals in the areas of student nutrition education and physical activity. The Wellness Committee is comprised of: